A long time since my last hi

[mattswan2512]

Hey guys, its been a number of years since i last said hi on here but im bk to look to enter the world of sibs once again.

Not sure if things have changed or technology has improved but im bk to learn and hopefully buy again.

A huge hi to martin and paul if you guys still run the show.

So im looking to buy again....3.6 to 4m ideally and i think it needs to be an F-rib as the last one was immense. Homwaves toooo heavy and faffy or is there a similar alternative on the market? Open to a robust rib also but not costing the earth so any advice guys im open to ideas and suggestions.

Thanks and hi to all those old and not so old faces still here.
Matt swan

[ChrisParish]

Hi Matt and welcome back! Martin is still running the show but Paul hasn’t been seen for some time.

Glad to hear you are getting back into it. Faff wise the F-Rib is great; just unfold, inflate and play. I agree that the aluminium floor honwaves are heavy and a faff but the air floors are pretty good, fairly light and reasonably faff-free.

Cost wise, the Air floor Honwave is about as cheap as you can get and still be any good (there were some floor problems but touch wood they have been resolved). F-ribs are awesome but soooo much more expensive unless you can find a good second hand deal.

[mattswan2512]

Hi Matt and welcome back! Martin is still running the show but Paul hasn’t been seen for some time.

Glad to hear you are getting back into it. Faff wise the F-Rib is great; just unfold, inflate and play. I agree that the aluminium floor honwaves are heavy and a faff but the air floors are pretty good, fairly light and reasonably faff-free.

Cost wise, the Air floor Honwave is about as cheap as you can get and still be any good (there were some floor problems but touch wood they have been resolved). F-ribs are awesome but soooo much more expensive unless you can find a good second hand deal.

Thanks chris, as an ex owner of both i know id prefer the F-rib but cost is a limiting factor as always. I must admit im very tempted to try a pioner polyprop boat and you can get a reasonable package for 5k with very light use.

They are very robust can be beached etc no dramas and are self draining decked. But they are not light and will need trailer launching which ive done lots of so....yes no pumps or punctures etc

[ChrisParish]

The pioner boats do look good. I like the idea of being able to beach the boat without fear of damage but it is a heavy lump. If you are happy with trailers etc then go for it.

[warder54]

Hi Matt, welcome back! If you're thinking Pioner (Plastic) have a look at the Smartwave range of boats, there'll be a size to suit in there. I have a Smartwave 480 with a Yam 60 and love it, my F-Rib 360 gets more use(trailered locally and up to about 40 mile from home) as it's easier single handed. Smartwave do a 350 and a 420 open boats - the 420 has a console option..

[warder54]

Oops - forgot the pic!